Steps to Graduation

1. Submit a Graduation Application: Log into SIS on or before the posted deadline. Undergraduate students should submit an application upon reaching 90 completed hours with at least 20 credits at UM-Flint. Graduate students should submit an application upon reaching 18 completed credit hours. Submitting the application on or before the posted deadline assures a student’s inclusion in the commencement program booklet, commencement emails, official university graduation publications, Maize and Blue consideration, and honors recognition. See instructions for Online Graduation Application.

2. Run a degree evaluation through your SIS account. Print the evaluation and make an appointment with your advisor. We STRONGLY recommend students review their progress on a regular basis with their advisor.

3. Complete the First Destination Survey. This survey is administered to all graduates from the University and information obtained adds measurable value to the University. For questions regarding the survey contact the Career Center.

NOTE: Any changes to the original application must be communicated to the Registrar’s Office via a Graduation Update Form. Log into SIS to make your changes. Failure to inform the Registrar’s Office of changes to the original application may result in delayed graduation plans. If a student does not complete degree requirements the semester s/he declared on the graduation application, the graduation application becomes inactive. To reactivate the application, you will need to reapply for graduation through your SIS account.

Ceremony Information

Approximately two months prior to the ceremony, you will receive an invitation through your UM-Flint email account. This email will give you instructions on how to RSVP for the ceremony. Watch your UM-Flint email for information on the ceremony date, time and purchasing cap and gown. It is IMPERATIVE students RSVP if they wish to participate in the commencement ceremony.

The University of Michigan-Flint holds one ceremony in MAY and one in DECEMBER. August graduates are invited to attend either ceremony, but can only be recognized as graduating with honors at the December ceremony.

Graduates are eligible to attend only ONE commencement ceremony per degree earned at the University of Michigan-Flint

Diplomas and Transcripts

Diplomas:

Diploma covers are distributed to graduates at the Commencement ceremony. Graduates should expect to receive their actual diplomas in the mail approximately four to six weeks after your degree is posted. Diplomas are mailed to the graduate's address provided on the graduation application.

Please note that tuition, fees, and all financial obligations must be paid in full before a diploma can be issued.

University of Michigan diplomas Do Not list majors or minors, only degree name (e.g. Bachelor of Arts). Academic Honors, Maize & Blue Award, and Honors Scholar Program are listed on the diploma under the degree name.

If you have any questions about diplomas, please contact Brenda Pope at (810) 766-6835 or bkpope@umflint.edu

A University of Michigan – Flint academic transcript is the most official document a graduate can offer as proof of a degree. Every graduate will receive a complimentary transcript with his/her newly acquired degree posted at the top. The complimentary transcript will be mailed to graduates’ homes four to five weeks after the last day of exams.

Please note that tuition, fees, and all financial obligations must be paid in full before an official transcript can be issued.

Graduation Honors

Honors:
Undergraduate students must have a 3.5 overall GPA at the beginning of their last semester to be recognized as graduating with Honors at the commencement ceremony. Students with at least a 3.75 overall GPA are recognized as graduating with High Honors.

At commencement, honors graduates wear gold honor cords and have their honor notation by their names in the commencement program. August graduates are only eligible to walk with honors at the December ceremony after they graduate. Graduate level students receive a ceremonial hood during the ceremony.

Honor cords are awarded to honor students at their schools' Honors Convocation Ceremony or Graduation Celebration Party. These functions are usually held the week before commencement. Invitations to these ceremonies are sent out to students through the various Deans' Offices. If a student is unable to attend the honors ceremony, honor cords can also be obtained by eligible students at the Registrar's tables the day of commencement.

For all other departmental awards or fraternity/sorority awards, please contact your department. These awards will not be handed out at the Commencement.

If you have any questions about the Honors Convocation Ceremony or Graduation Celebration Party, please contact your Dean's Office.

Maize & Blue:

The Maize & Blue award is the University’s highest undergraduate award and is presented to no more than thirteen graduates at the May and December Commencement Ceremonies. Maize & Blue Award winners are presented a plaque at the Commencement Ceremony and the award is noted on their official transcripts and diplomas. The Commencement student speaker is chosen from the group of Maize & Blue Award winners. August graduates are eligible for the award only after finishing their degree requirements.

Students who have earned at least 58 credit hours at the University of Michigan-Flint (including the current semester), with an overall GPA of 3.75 or better in all completed credits earned at the University of Michigan-Flint, are eligible to be nominated for the Maize and Blue Award. This GPA requirement constitutes a "firm" or minimum criterion. Once the list of eligible students is determined, the academic departments are asked for nominations from that list. Nominations are submitted to the Scholarships, Awards, and Special Events Committee, and the Committee elects the award winners from the students who were nominated.

If you have questions regarding the Maize & Blue Award, please contact the Provost’s Office at (810) 762-3177.

Master and Doctorate Level:

The official Hooding Ceremony of graduate students at the University of Michigan-Flint takes place during commencement. This process adds to the graduation experience by making it possible to focus on advanced degree candidates and their accomplishments. It allows graduate faculty and staff, family and friends a chance to witness the ceremonial hooding of the graduate student, recognizing the completion of their graduate studies during commencement. Hoods are essentially the most expressive component of the academic regalia. They serve to communicate the graduate's school, degree and field of study through their length and the colors of the lining and binding.